STRATEGY #1: BOOST BLOOD FLOW WITH DAILY EXERCISE

One of the most beneficial ADHD school strategies is creating time for your child to engage in physical activities every day. Studies show that regular physical activity plays a vital role in supporting brain function and managing core symptoms of ADHD.

There is a strong relationship between exercise and ADHD, with research showing that consistent physical activity helps increase blood flow to the brain and boosts the production of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. 

Boosting these chemicals can support your child by helping them:

• Stabilize their mood
• Improve their attention span
• Enhance impulse control
• Calm hyperactivity

Even though they are intelligent and hardworking, children with ADHD often find it difficult to keep up, which can take an emotional toll on the entire family. 

The good thing about it? 

It doesn’t have to be complicated. You can take a nature walk with your child, dance to music, or take a 30-minute bike ride. Including movement in your child’s routine, more so during long breaks like summer, will not only support their brain health but also set the stage for improved behavior and better learning throughout the school year.

As you do this consistently, you will begin to notice some changes in your child. For instance, the emotional outbursts are likely to reduce in frequency, plus, they will have better focus in class and a calmer mind overall. 

STRATEGY #2: IMPROVE FOCUS WITH A BRAIN-HEALTHY DIET

Food is not just fuel. It’s a key pillar in supporting brain health and the management of ADHD symptoms. Research on nutrition for ADHD kids highlights how targeted dietary choices can significantly improve focus, regulate emotions, and support better behavior. 

Ensure your child’s diet is high in protein and low in refined sugar. It will help stabilize your child’s blood sugar levels and support the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which could be lacking in a child with ADHD. 

Experiment with meals that are simple and family-friendly. To fuel your child’s brain, focus on:

1. Protein-packed foods like eggs, Greek yogurt, and nut butters. They are good at improving focus and alertness. 

2. Healthy fats from sources like olive oil, avocados, fatty fish like salmon, and nuts to support the development of your child’s brain. 

3. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains, starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, and fruits that are high in fiber to keep your child’s energy levels steady.

4. Minimize sugar and artificial additives as they can trigger spikes in hyperactivity and sudden lapses in concentration.

STRATEGY #3: GET A PERSONALIZED BRAIN EVALUATION

Traditional mental health care approaches often rely on symptom checklists to diagnose ADHD, leading to cookie-cutter diagnoses and treatment for ADHD. But ADHD is not a single or simple mental health condition.

Based on the brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics involving over 250,000 brain scans, there are seven types of ADHD. Each ADHD type has its own unique pattern of brain activity and behavioral profile.

If these underlying brain activity patterns are not identified, treatment can involve a long process of trial and error. This can result in months or even years of added frustration for you and your child.

Related: Treating the Brain for 7 Types of ADHD

A comprehensive evaluation for ADHD should involve more than just symptom checklists. Neuropsychological assessments are key components that can help in the diagnostic process. Getting a brain scan for ADHD can also be beneficial.

Brain SPECT imaging, the advanced technology used at Amen Clinics, evaluates blood flow and activity in the brain. It goes beyond surface-level symptoms to provide a clear, visual understanding of how your child’s brain is functioning.

It can reveal areas of the brain with healthy activity, too much activity, or too little activity. In most types of ADHD, there’s a decrease in activity in an area called the prefrontal cortex. The PFC is involved in executive functions like planning, impulse control, judgment, follow-through, and learning from your mistakes.

Getting a SPECT scan for ADHD allows specialists to deliver a more accurate ADHD diagnosis. 

Related: Brain SPECT Made Ridiculously Simple

WHY ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ADD TREATMENTS OFTEN FAIL

Most ADHD treatment plans center on stimulant medications. But using prescription stimulants alone is bad treatment. Why?

Medication that works for one child may not work for another when it comes to managing ADHD. That’s because this common neurodevelopmental disorder isn’t a single, uniform condition. As you saw above, children may have one or more of the seven types of ADD, requiring a personalized treatment plan.

Giving a child the wrong ADHD medication can limit progress or exacerbate symptoms. And depending on standard medication alone isn’t enough.

The best way to treat ADHD goes beyond medication and should include a whole-child approach. Personalized ADHD treatment plans may involve:

• Individualized dietary plans
• Targeted nutritional supplements
• Behavior strategies
• Specific types of exercise
• Academic support for ADHD
• Medications (when necessary)
• Innovative therapies (such as neurofeedback)

Brain-based ADHD interventions focus on understanding your child’s specific brain functions. This allows you and your health care providers to choose the most effective strategies for their unique needs.

According to research, one child may benefit from dietary changes, while another child may respond well to targeted therapy or medication. Without such individualized approaches, treatment may be ineffective or could make a child’s symptoms worse.